A 57-year-old man was today in hospital after a brutal street robbery in Coventry which detectives believe could be linked to another savage mugging an hour later.

Two men have been arrested and are being quizzed about the two attacks in the early hours yesterday. Detectives also believe there could be links with a spate of other city robberies over the past four months.

DS Stuart Bell, based at Little Park Street police station, described the latest attacks - in Hillfields and Spon End - as ?particularly nasty?.

The first assault was in Swan Lane, Hillfields, near Frederick Bird School, at about 1.20am. A 57-year-old man, who lives in Hillfields, was badly beaten about the head by two men.

DS Bell said: ?The victim was punched to the floor and subjected to a sustained attack, lasting several minutes, which left him needing 20 stitches above his left eye.?

He said the man?s wallet, containing #50, and keys were taken. The victim was being treated at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital today.

Just under an hour later, at 2.15am, in Waveley Road, Spon End, near the junction with Minster Road, a 21-year-old man was attacked by two men of a similar description. He was found in a semi-conscious state.

DS Bell said: ?The man was walking home when he was set upon by two men, subjected to a vicious assault and robbed.?

The ordeal lasted about two minutes and the victim?s watch, phone and wallet were stolen. He was spotted by two police patrol officers soon after.

He was treated for facial and head injuries at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital and is recovering at home.

DS Bell said the latest attacks could also be linked to similar offences over the past four months in Chapelfields, Radford and Coundon.

Witnesses to the attack in Hillfields can call CID at Little Park Street on 024 7653 9082 or 0845 115 3000.